I did a little traveling at the end of the year and, as usual, I gathered up some fun and/or unusual roadside signs and business names.

I saw “Free Black Berry and Scotch Broom Bushes.” You dig (and one of our neighbors here in Hansville has a sign in her yard: “Free moles — you dig”).

Another sign on an office building said “Soft Space for Rent.” Hmm. As opposed to hard space? Another sign on a school, “Building Block School — an Academy for pre-school children.” And a last one, in Florida, across from a Lowe’s Store was “High’s — a place to imbibe spirits.”

Now that that’s out of my system, looking back on 2012 I’m sort of glad it’s over. Not a healthy year for me, but I’m almost back to normal (whatever normal is for me), and looking forward to promoting my new book, “Necessary Word For Writers — What Do Those Agents and Editors Mean?”  It’s a book about the jargon that the publishing world uses and is meant to help those that are starting to try to get published. It can be purchased from Amazon.com and local book stores.

In Hansville, we’ve been having all those storms that everyone else had, but we’re looking forward to our spring and summer. In preparation, on Jan. 19, Chuck Strahm will hold a free workshop (1–3 p.m.) for those who want to participate in the Pinewood Derby races scheduled for Feb. 9, 2 p.m., and the other races scheduled later in the year. This workshop and race will take place at the Greater Hansville Community Center on Buck Lake. The workshop is for those who want to purchase kits, need to borrow tools to repair or construct these cars, and for those who just want to work with others getting ready for this event.

Hoping all my readers and friends are well on their way to having a happy 2013. I wish you good health, much wealth, and happy times.

— Donna Lee Anderson can be reached at WellToldTales@aol.com